Paper and printing and construction industries pay biggest price for staff sickness absence

In 2007, the paper and printing and construction industries carried the biggest cost burden from staff taking time off sick, according to www.costofabsence.com, which provides companies with a snapshot of the sick bill they face each year and is the brainchild of BUPA UK Health Insurance.

www.costofabsence.com, which draws on the latest data from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, illustrates that a paper and printing business with 100 staff this year faced an annual bill of 125,000 because of sickness absence, up an incredible 172% from 72,500 in 2006. In the construction industry, the cost of ill health has risen even more dramatically ñ up by over 200% from 49,200 in 2006 to 103,600 this year.

The most absent employees in 2007 came from health industry and central government, with www.costofabsence.com revealing that health workers took on average 13 days off sick this year, while those in central government were close behind with an average of 11 days off per employee per year.

Ann Greenwood, director of business markets for BUPA UK Health Insurance, said: ìBusinesses need to understand the impact that sickness absence can have on them, in terms of their performance, productivity and efficiency, as well as the effect it will have on their employees. Costofabsence.com provides an instant calculation tailored to any organisation whatever shape or size. The figures are likely to be a shock to many companies.î

Itís not all bad news though as sickness absence can be addressed, if businesses take preventative action.

Ann Greenwood comments: ìAlthough itís not a cure, private health cover can help employees get prompt access to diagnosis and expert medical care when and where they need it, as well as get appointments at a convenient time to fit in with work commitments.

ìMeanwhile, offering employees health assessments can help identify potential health problems in the early stages when they might be easier to treat, while occupational health services provide rehabilitation benefits to those on long-term sickness absence. BUPA has also recently launched ìPositive Healthî, a confidential, health and wellbeing online appraisal for employees, which will help companies track trends in the health of their staff and develop meaningful prevention programmes, to help keep their staff healthy and reduce sickness absence.î